STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Yesterday was a perfect day, weather-wise, for the third-annual Greener Community Fall Festival, an outdoor event that drew an estimated 10,000 parents and kids to the emerald-green Great Lawn at the College of Staten Island (CSI) campus in Willowbrook.

Mona and Jorge Castro of New Springville, who came with their three kids, gave the festival a rave review.

Their son Jordan, 11, said that he loved the magic show and basketball games, while daughter Jelissa, 13, went wild for the Chinese lion-dancing and softball activities.

Isabella, 2, enjoyed the face-painting, and sported a colorful, whimsical heart tattoo on the top of her tiny right hand.

Aaron and Diala Epstein of Westerleigh spent two hours at the festival with their daughter, Zara, 2, and newborn Chloe, 2 months.

AMONG THE HIGHLIGHTS

Highlights for Zara included the pumpkin painting, and seeing characters dressed in Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse costumes.

"Breast cancer is a leading cause of female mortality on Staten Island, so it's beautiful to see the community come out for such a worthy cause, and to watch all the kids having such a good time," Donna Gerstle, director of CSI's Center for Environmental Science and principal investigator for the breast cancer initiative, said. AWARENESS IS ESSENTIAL

"Breast awareness is essential to help reduce the incidence of breast cancer in Staten Island," she added, explaining that the initiative is "dedicated to the research and dissemination of breast cancer prevention strategies as well as breast health concerns within the Staten Island community."

The festival was sponsored by Con Edison, and in part by Friends of CSI, CSI Alumni Association, CSI Campus Activities Board, and the Free Lighting Corporation of Staten Island.